[beatlesman]

Has anyone tried one of these to combat sleepiness from meds or apnea? I know there is a risk with mania, but I have to try something.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

I used Provigil and then Nuvigil for years. I just did not use them when manic and I carried a PRN to take if I started feeling manic after I took the dose. It worked well for me. That hardest thing was that insurance didn't always pay. Several did and then the last year or two I needed it I had to pay out of pocket. I think I got the highest dose and cut it in half to decrease cost. It was still quite expensive.

The expense was worth it because I really was able to work longer than I could have without it. There is no way I could have worked and taken the amount of Seroquel and Depakote combined that I needed.

[~Christina]

I'm always tired but I have Insomnia that just refuses to play nice.. I use essential oil dabbed under my nose.. Citrus and Mint have a fresh wake you up effect.

Do you have a Cpap machine?

Personally I would try non medication ways before I would agree to take any kind of stimulate,that's just me tho.

I hope someone comes along with first hand knowledge.

Hope you find relief soon

[wiretwister]

if you have apnea you need a machine... I use mine every night.. really helps...

I find melatonin good to help me sleep at the right times and wake up when the sunlight hits. First thing I do when I wake up, rain jail or shine, I go outside for 10-15 minutes, easier in the summer no doubt but it helps my head wake up.

My morning routine is just as important as my night. It's not exactly the most healthy at the moment- go out unrug the horse, come back to the outdoor setting and have my decaf coffee and a cigarette, balance chakras (more as a breathing exercise than spiritual) and on days I have things on I read my pony cards to give me something to keep in mind throughout the day. Then breakfast and meds and start the day. If I don't follow this routine or one similar then I tend to be more lethargic. Do you have a morning routine?

[BeyondtheRainbow]

Oh, another thing that I still have and use although I'm not working is a sunrise/sunset simulator. I'm so used to it that I forget it is a tool. Now that I'm not working I only use the sunset simulator which dims the light gradually over a time I set so that I fall asleep and sleep in the dark instead of just passing out at some point. When I needed to get up the sunrise simulator would gradually wake me by turning light slowly so that I wasn't trying to get up in the dark. I've not had good luck with cheap ones but the one I've had twice now that cost $120 this time to replace it (much less the first time which was about 8 years ago) seems to hold up better. I hope it continues since it's the 3rd one I've bought in the last year since my old one finally just wore out. The others only lasted a few months and were not nearly as programmable. It seems to be a case of you get what you pay for. It does really help me though.

[Woolly Bugger]

Now that I'm not working I only use the sunset simulator which dims the light gradually over a time I set so that I fall asleep and sleep in the dark instead of just passing out at some point.

This sounds interesting, as I fall asleep to early on the couch, and then wake up in the middle of the night. It takes me hours to get back to sleep, and I'm exhausted in the morning. Anyway, if you could provide the make and model of your simulator, I would appreciate it.

Thanks.

WB

[BeyondtheRainbow]

Sure. It's a Biobrite pearl. It came from Amazon.

If you start looking at other brands or styles you have to make sure it has a sunset feature since that's probably what you need. Not all of them do. To me that is by far the most valuable part since the last few years I worked I got up at 4 AM regardless of the light or time of year but the sunset thing is wonderful. Sleeping in the dark is so much better for you and I just couldn't do that because I don't fall asleep until there is nothing left but sleep, no matter how much or what meds I'm on.

[Moreta]

I have sleep apnea and am heavily medicated. I have a BiPAP machine and I also take Provigil. Works pretty well for me.